Newport Storm 04

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Rating from 2007. Big thanks to matta for sharing this vintage ale. Pours hazy copper with weak off white head. The aroma is very barleywine like with figs and prunes mixed with a load of caramel candy, toffee, brown sugar and a hint of honey. There is a good sense of alcohol too but certainly in line with a brew carrying this high of an ABV. The taste begins very barleywine like as the nose had with lots of yummy caramel candy laced with dates, figs and prunes. The next note is muted spicy and floral hops mixed with booze, wood, sugar and toffee. Wow. Very interesting. A pleasant mixture for sure. Toward the finish the flavor dwindles down to caramel candy, some dark fruity ester, booze and fur tree. The caramel lingers forever.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

What an odd offering... Pours with an alcoholic, cracker crumb malt, spicy hops and some belgian-esque esters. It was nearly flat with no head, which given the alcohol is expected, but isn't it supposed to be a Pils in some respect? I expect carbonation. Flavors reflected the aromatics with some fruit sneaking in. An interesting beer, if a bit off target. Thanks, Jack.

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

12.10.05 750ml bottle at NJ/PA YEHA-05. I was excited to try this stuff. An ugly, clouded topaz sits still below a minimal film of white. Aroma smacks of melting rubberbands, crayons, butterscotch, and alcohol, with hints of grassiness. This raised an eyebrow, for sure. Slick and oily palate transfers scalding alcoholic heat all across the palate, transferring a punnishing blow of more rubber and some canola oil. My thought after trying this one was that these guys need to put the kibash on the annual release...then I tried the ’05.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

Poured an amber color with off white bubbles, no lacing present. Aroma of alcohol, bread, wood, and caramel malt. Taste of caramel malt, strong alcohol, faint citrus, and some nuttiness as well.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Poured an orange color with very little head. Aroma of alcohol and sweetness. 14%abv and you knew it during this beer. tasted sweet and of alcohol. Overall not bad.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

For 14% ABV, this coulda delivered a lot more. It wasn't bad, but boy, it was potent and the alcohol didn't hide in the aroma or flavor (although, I didn't feel the effects like I thought I would). The flavor was really sweet, somewhat carmel and wine like. There was no balance, contrary to what the bottle says (4 "noble" hops). Carbonation was low and the appearance completely lacked any head or lacing (dark and cloudy amber in color). Somewhat yeasty and bready to the sweet malty base. Alcohol is prominent in the flavor and "burn" with each sip. Would probably be much better aged.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

600th beer in my logbook. Split the 25.4 oz blue, hand-corked wine bottle three ways. Pours a hazy golden color. A notably "still" beer with little carbonation and zero head. Aroma features a powerful paint thinner smell. Tastes like rubber, only hot. Burns the roof of your mouth and feels hot on your throat. Aftertaste leaves you looking for a cool glass of water to douse the fire. The alcohol kick is potent; don't drink this one alone. High marks for craftsmanship, but not a particularly enjoyable beer.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Pours with a orange-amber body topped by a thin head with little lacing. The aroma and flavor are slightly sweet and herbal with a touch of candy sugar and a nice bitter background. Full bodied, smooth and warming.